Merry Christmas like it or not?

Ah, it's that time of year when things seem just a little bit sweeter, when hustle and bustle are good things, and when every small child has a glint of hope behind his or her eye. I love Christmas. I know that we can't exactly pin down the day that Jesus was born. I know that we aren't told specifically to celebrate his birth on a certain day and I understand that there are many who don't celebrate this at all. I'm very sorry. I don't, however, hesitate to hold the door of Wawa open for, well, just about anyone and heartily wish them a "Merry Christmas". I do it all the time. I am usually met with some surprise and then a smile and then the greeting is reciprocated in some fashion. If "Merry Christmas" is offensive to you though, let me take this time to say I'm truly sorry. If my saying "Have a Merry Christmas" bothers you, then please take it this way. We traditionally celebrate Christmas on December 25, (just in case you live under a rock) and I truly wish "Merriment" (or just plain "Happiness") for you on that day and all the days of the Winter Solstice.

I would honestly prefer that you understand and accept that the God who made the world and everything in it set forth a time when he would send His only Son. On that day, whenever it was, the Angels sang out the news. The news wasn't just that a baby was born. It wasn't even to tell that there was something miraculous about the birth. The news was that He would be the one capable of saving us from ourselves. He could remove the stain of sin and take on himself the death that waited for us all. So the angels sang because a monumental event had occurred. God had finally sent salvation into the world. This salvation is for everyone without limit or exclusion; and its free.

So when I say "Merry Christmas" what I mean is "God Loves You and Jesus Died For You", but if you don't want to hear that, then let it mean "Have a nice day".

Sincerely,
Tom

I've been converted (at least at work)

I'm sorry to disappoint everyone. I know that there are some traditions that need to be held close to our hearts. I realize that there are some points upon which we must stand regardless of the pressure. I understand that many will no doubt disown me for my decision, so I thought it best that I come out here on the blog and publicly acknowledge my departure.

Almost my whole life I have been loyally doing my best to stay on track and on the path that I knew to be the only way. I've often fell short in my knowledge and have been able to learn more and more as the years have passed. I'm far from complete in my knowledge, but I've come a long way. In recent years I've been able to take what I know and teach others as well as help them through the difficult times. I've been there when many had become corrupt and near the point of no return. I've even been fortunate to help some come back from the brink of darkness. There were times when I wasn't so lucky and the situation was beyond my ability to help. Still though I've taken it upon myself to believe and to help as many as possible. Until now.

Sure I'll still try to help when and where I can. I don't want to see people suffer needlessly, but it's different now. Now a time has come and things have changed that have made me challenge the core beliefs I have held to for so long. Things at work have caused me to look in a new direction and operate under a different system. I know it will be difficult at first. This will surely take some getting used to. For the foreseeable future I will be living a double life as things at work and things at home will conflict. I wish I knew which I will stay with. The future is so uncertain. The two will no longer be compatible.

I'm very sorry to disappoint many of you, but at work I'm getting a new computer; it's a Mac. I'm even now waiting for it to come FedEx.

What did you think I was talking about?

Tom